Chapter 4: The Final HourNo More Chances

There, unmistakably, was Cedric's personal seal.

The sheer absurdity of it hit me like a blow.

I took the consent form to the doctor. He could only sigh.

"It's true. The lawyer came in with the child's father's seal and submitted the euthanasia request. All the paperwork is in order. If you don't consent, you have three hours to discuss it with the child's father. He has to come in personally to withdraw the request."

My heart stopped. For a moment, I did not even know which way to turn.

Time and again, friends and relatives had seen our son suffering and tried to hint that euthanasia might be kinder.

"At least it would be a release for him."

Cedric had always been the first to object. "That's my son. I can't just watch him die."

So why had he suddenly agreed?

Rage completely overwhelmed my reason.

Clutching the consent form, I hurried home.

…

Cedric was in the kitchen making chicken soup, while Evelyn sat on the couch eating fruit.

The moment he saw me, he hurried over and stepped between us, clearly afraid I would go after her.

"I was the one who asked Evelyn to come here. Because… she's pregnant."

A deafening roar exploded through my mind. The tears I had been holding back finally spilled down my cheeks. "So, you agreed to euthanize our son just to make room for your new child?"

Cedric frowned. "What euthanasia?"

There was only an hour left. I was frantic, barely able to think.

"Come to the hospital with me and withdraw the request. If you don't, I swear I won't let either of you get away with this."

"Enough!" His voice suddenly rose.

"I'm keeping this baby for you! Ever since our son was hurt, you've refused to have another child, while he's stuck lying in that hospital bed. The baby Evelyn's carrying is going to be our child!"

I staggered backward in disbelief.

The same husband who had once insisted over and over that he wanted only one child was now plotting to replace our son with another.

Just then, Evelyn cried out, "Professor Langley, my stomach suddenly hurts so much!"

Cedric immediately rushed to her side to comfort her and called the family doctor. He did not spare me another glance.

As I watched the clock tick relentlessly toward the deadline, I had no choice but to hurry back to the hospital and plead with the doctor.

"I'm his mother. I'll find a lawyer right away. I can apply to have the request withdrawn too, can't I?"

The doctor sighed helplessly. "The problem is that the patient himself has also consented to euthanasia. He's lost the will to go on living."

"What?"

As I stood there in utter shock, a surveillance video came through on my phone.

At some point, Evelyn had made her way into our son's hospital room. Her pregnant belly was already prominent.

"Look. Your dad's going to have a new son soon. He'll be so much better than a burden like you, lying helpless in that bed. Think about your mom, too. She's exhausted.

"The truth is, she wanted to euthanize you a long time ago, but she didn't have the courage. I know you're a good boy. You might as well die."

Our son, who had been unable to move for years, had a single tear slip from the corner of his eye.

In despair, he nodded.

At that very moment, the ICU alarm went off.

The doctor walked over with the signed euthanasia consent form. "The euthanasia has been completed."

My son was gone.

…

I held his urn in my arms. Then, with the surveillance footage saved on my phone, I called a criminal attorney. "I have a murder case. Will you take it?"

Three hours later, Cedric hurried back to the hospital.

When he walked into the room and saw the empty bed and the agreement lying on the table, the fruit basket in his hand slipped from his grip and crashed to the floor.